Outer Limits 4x4 Board

I tried to get some info from the GQ bible sticky's but the links dont work so I'll ask here.

I have a 350 chev (carby) with a Turbo trans I'd like to fit in a LWB GQ wagon (when I get one) probably a petrol model.
I like the smooth torquey power of a V8 with an auto and of course the legendary strength of the GQ driveline.
I was also impressed with the way the Nissans performed at the recent SA Riverland 4x4 Challenge.

What else I want to do:

4-5" suspension lift
35's
Bit of grinder and welder work around the wheel arches
dual fuel
diff braces


Uses:
General off road touring and the odd "medium" level comps that are starting to happen here in SA.

I know the chev conversion in a GQ is common as but are there any special things to look out for with this conversion?
Also any trouble spots to look for on a GQ when looking for a suitable candidate?

Cheers, sudso

Well I'm going to look at a GQ this morning, not a petrol but anyway....
It's a 4.2 with an aftermarket turbo 312K on the clock.

Only seen pics of it so far, has 5"-6" suspension lift and 35's and a few extra's.
Asking 9900 for it, it's an 89 model

What special mods should I be looking for in the suspension with that amount of lift?

cheers, sudso

Had a look and a drive, took it to a mate who is a 4wd mechanic to give it a look over.
He reckons the gearbox input shaft bearings or the cluster gears are knackered.
A few other minor things wrong with it but it is 17 years old.

It's got a factory diff lock which works great. Are they as good as any aftermarket air locker?

Anybody?

No they're not as good as an aftermarket air locker and I'd want to test it out (can safely use on road with a little screeching).

However they're probably likely to last MUCH longer than an air locker if used properly and can be modded to work better.

Once locked in they work fine, just are slow to react.

if your thinkin of buyin the turbo diesel, and have the cash, id say go for it, wirst case scenario, if the gear box dies a few months down the track, you can do your swap with your 350 and auto, you will be able to get at least 4gs for your turbo diesel motor, that way you have made a bit of money back for your conversion,

but if your keen to do it asap, id keep an eye out for a cheap petrol,

Yeah we tested out the factory locker in my mechanic mates paddock and it works a treat.

The rest of the driveline seems good too (we took it on a soft sandy track in 4wd) apart from the rattly noise from the input shaft. Depress the clutch and the noise stops though.

Yeah the motor sounds sweet as and goes like fark for a deisel, it's got a water cooled Dynamic Turbo Systems (dont know what boost) and a custom 3" exhaust.
10000 lb Warn low mount
a/cond
pwr stg
factory locker
factory hubs
cargo barrier
UHF
spotties
About a 5-6" susp lift
Rancho RX9000 adjustables all round
Aftermarket links and rods (dont know what brand but they are grey)
35" ST's on nice mags
long range tank
dual batteries
oil cooler for the ?
body and chassis is very good for it's age

Needs gearbox repair, hubs kits, pins and bearings (1 side leaking)
New steering shock and and new rear link (bit bent from a rock by the looks)

I reckon i could knock them down to 7K from 9900 as is and they will give me 10-11K for my Rodeo (they are a Holden Dealer) if I get it tidied up (minor battle scars) trouble is the missus cant see the point after the initial purchase price of the Rodeo and what I've spent on it and she is going nut's.

Other problem is that my mate who I went with to look at it has got a hard on for it too but they'll only give him 8000 max for his 93 non turbo GQ which is in excellent nick.
We had a mock up fight when we got there in the middle of the car yard over who was going to get it and the salesman come running out to see what was going on, it was a good laugh.

Here's a pic of it anyway

Considering all the extras it sounds good. If you could get it a couple of grand cheaper that always helps.

Sounds like a clutch thrust bearing not a gearbox issue....


Lots of extras. if theya re what you want then it's worth the $$$.

Hoping it's just a thrust bearing but my mate who is a mechanic and works mostly on 4wd's swears it's gearbox front bearings. Says he knows the difference by the sound it's making. It does sound more like a sloppy input shaft at the front of the gearbox rather than a thrust bearing.

Yeah the extra's always help a bit especially the suspension, turbo, winch etc.

If I bought a clapped out petrol stocker real cheap it would still cost me about 10K to get it where I wanted

Just the input bearing wouldnt be too much of a drama to replace but if you intend to 350 Chev it anyway.

GQ Gearboxes are not worth much anyway so not really worth fixing before sale, even if a front input bearing is easy.

It'll be the motor they want.

Yep I agree.
But I wouldn't have to do a conversion straight away on this one if I got it. It could go well for ages.

Getting a sorted out turbo deisel wasn't my intention but since it's a good package overall........

I reckon me mate will get it anyway (he's got the cash and his missus blessing) and then sell his other GQ privately.